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Last season was a strange one in so many ways and it's worth going back a year before actually looking ahead. Off the back of 55, the beginning of 2021/22 wasn't great by failing to beat Malmo to reach the CL group stage and a stuttering start in the league still seen us develop a reasonable gap to Celtic and try and consolidate the previous year's title win. However, our form wasn't great and it wasn't long until Steven Gerrard moved on at the same time as Hibs hammered us at Hampden. In the new year, we didn't fare much better: a delayed winter break derailed improved form under new manager Gio and, by the end of February, we'd not only allowed Celtic back into the title race but had effectively ended our own chances. Despite that surrender in the league, our efforts in Europe were a different story. An unlikely trouncing of Dortmund and fine wins over Red Star, Braga and Leipzig seen us reach the Europa League Final whilst domestically our form had also improved and we dug deep to reach the Scottish Cup final from a losing position against Celtic. Unfortunately, we couldn't quite go all the way in Seville but, to their immense credit, the players did manage to secure a domestic trophy a few days later versus Hearts. OK, not a vintage year in terms of tangible success but still a season we are allowed to enjoy and remember fondly forever. However, that's now in the past and we need more from season 2022/23. First and foremost, we need to get off to a good start in the league tomorrow against Livingston and hit the ground running when we travel to Belgium to face Union SG next Tuesday. To that end our pre-season form has been acceptable enough - solid wins over Blackpool and West Ham were followed by defeat against Spurs in the Walter Tull Memorial Cup - but the general impression is one of a fairly familiar tactical set-up with some new faces to complement our efforts from last season. Losing the desire of the increasingly impressive Calvin Bassey and the unpredictable brilliance of Joe Aribo isn't good news in anyone's book but the huge sums taken in from selling them on have helped us reshape the squad. In particular, the acquisitions of Colak, Lawrence, Tillman and Matondo should give us more depth in attack - an area where often struggled to convert chances in domestic matches - whilst new defenders Souttar, Davies and Yilmaz will offer an improved and more efficient transition from defence to forward areas. In midfield, the retention of Kamara, Jack and Lundstram will again ensure a strong platform to dominate most matches. In general terms, there's no doubt the squad is bigger and better than before - we simply couldn't rely on the fitness of players like Helander, Jack and Roofe - and that has to be a good thing when we consider we played 65 games last season - not to mention any international obligations on a few individual players. There's also a good balance to the squad in terms of experience and potential. Securing Connor Goldson on a new contract was fantastic news whilst, as much as some fans have doubted the extensions offered to McGregor, Davis and Arfield, the experience these players can offer the likes of Yilmaz, Tillman and Lowry should not be under-estimated. Finally, there's a flexibility about the personnel that should make us less predictable and more able to change tack in challenging situations. All things considered, we can approach the new campaign with a measure of quiet confidence. The squad is better, the management team have had more time to implement their ideas, fans have renewed in incredible numbers and, whilst we're perhaps still short of one or two players, the foundation is there for a successful season at home and abroad. However, whilst things may look good on paper as I write this, the hard work is just about to start and a visit to Livingston represents the unique challenge the SPFL can offer. Dreadful artificial pitches (welcome back Killie), awful officials (we won't see VAR until 2023), often average but very hard-working opposition sides and away supports desperate to see us fail. Quite simply, we're not entitled to win any game so our efforts must be 100% and nothing less. No complaints about this - it's the same for everyone after all - and the vast majority of the squad should know all about this by now. In terms of tomorrow's visit to West Lothian, the starting XI should have a familiar look to it. The artificial surface may mean one or two players are not risked but hopefully a couple of new faces bring a freshness to our outlook at a venue we don't always convince at. As for the opposition, Davie Martindale will be keen to ensure Livi get off to a good start themselves and has made several changes to his squad over the summer as well. Andrew Shinnie and Bruce Anderson will again offer an attacking threat on the counter and Esmaël Gonçalves will be keen to impress on his return to the SPFL. Whilst we beat Livingston at Ibrox in our first game last season, we also lost our first away match at Tannadice the following week so the players should be highly motivated tomorrow. In conclusion there's nothing new about the journey we're about to embark on. It's a well trodden path and we should be well prepared for it. As always our aim should be a title win and European progression via CL group stage qualification. Once more unto the breach, my friends....

Shock horror from that jakey. Imagine asking a no-mark like him to properly assess the league campaign. His punditry is abysmal, and his command of the English language is embarrassing. If we started with a 40 point lead he would still make a case for his beloved scum to win the title.

Refreshing to read sense on a BBC Scotland forum. I foresee an invitation to appear on Off the Ball?

Sticks in my throat that we have any dealings with Utd. Hope they get relegated

A familiar name on the BBC website today discussing Rangers.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62286486

If lots of people nominate a player to do well as a surprise performer, is he really a surprise performer?

3 points. That's all that matters tomorrow.

With Rangers taking on Man Utd in the SuperCupNI Final today, i thought it was a good chance to look back at the Charlie Miller final in 1992 https://rfcyouths.wordpress.com/2022/07/29/the-charlie-miller-final-1992/

I reckon Wright will play ahead of Matondo. Its a long season ahead and that park 🤮 We will probably see Matondo in midweek v the Belgians. Other than that the lineup is spot on. Although we might see McGregor in goal.

We'll also have a preview podcast tonight at 9pm on our YouTube channel so hopefully you can join us later for that.

Scottish co-efficient might be in for a relatively bad time of it this season. Motherwell are convincingly beaten by a midtable Irish side, home and away. Next up, Dundee Utd against AZ Alkmaar...... No, me neither. Then you have Celtic in a CL group*, they are going to get little to nowt. That leaves Hearts and us. Both to get group stage football. If we get what we want (money and CL*), it will be very difficult. Hearts will be doing well to be competitive and pick up anything. * CLGS qualification does come with a 4pt. co-eff. bonus (equivalent to 2 wins) ------------------------ The Motherwell result is flagged up as a surprise, it isn't. Have a look back at our provincial sides in Europe this past decade or so. Ron Gordon may have the right ambition but the truth is that he can't run his own football club in a professional manner. He needs to look closer to home first and get a handle on the day to day of the Scottish game, a depressing reallity........ He is right that things need to change but that would need to start with changing things from the top.

So do I. We don’t want the emotional baggage that will be heaped onto Kiev, not by Dynamo themselves but by outsiders.

Apparently, Glen Middleton is on the cusp of a permanent move to Dundee United. When he was Gaffer at Hibs, Jack Ross had Middleton on loan and they will reunite at Tannadice. I believe there is a modest transfer fee involved? I was impressed by Glen's pace and I thought away Euro games suited him best. I remember him notching a good goal in Villarreal. He made 15 appearances, scoring 2 goals for Rangers. In the last three seasons he has wracked up nearly 50 appearances on loan at Hibs Bradford and, St Johnstone. Further, he has been capped internationally from under 16 level to under 21 - nearly 60 appearances. Ryan Kent is a difficult player to depose but, I cannot think of Glen being on the Rangers bench in the last couple of years. As stated, he has pace; I wonder why we could not find the player? I wish him well at Tannadice although he has my every sympathy having to deal regularly with former University of Dundee Rectum, Jum Spence.

Player of the Year - Young Player of the Year - Top Goalscorer - Most Assists - Best performer of new signings - Surprise performer or Most Improved -

I think we do, its a strange format. You play three games but not in a group. Its then one big table. If you have two difficult games making the final is difficult as even two draws mean you won't finish in the top four. Rangers first game was against the weakest team at the tournament F.C.Atlante who lost 16 goal in their three games. We were poor against a young Leeds side, who lost to County Antrim. Rangers dominated against County Antrim who were never a threat in the semi final. Man Utd beat Surf Select and County Fermanagh and drew with MK Dons. I believe Man Utd are a wee bit younger, Rangers are U17's so mainly 2006's with some 2007's, Man Utd are English U16's so mainly 2007's with some end of year 2006's and two 2008's. Scotland age groups are calendar year, England are Sept - Aug

Morelos may be involved next week...

I demand the three points and a decent team performance.

Matondo OUT for tomorrow Roofe and Lowry both back in training with the former not too far away

There is real ability in there and it wouldn't surprise me if he were to do very well with Dundee United. His corner kick/set-play delivery is excellent. #sell-on25%

That's a bit odd because he didn't play much at Hibs IIRC

Aye, agree re Connor Barron.

I'm looking forward to smashing Livingston and getting the season off with a stiffy.

Squad lists for the games (Morelos included!)... https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2035382--st-gilloise-vs-rangers/lineups/

I was going to put Kamara as the surprise performer - but it's not a surprise to me, because I'm a fan.

That's what I was thinking. No point in risking Matondo if he's not 100 per cent on that monstrosity of a park. I think GvB is a fan of Wright, and he's performed well 'recently' (Scottish Cup). Unfortunately, I agree about McGregor... Ugh.

Unsure at the moment - I'm hoping rather expecting he'll play...

Is Matondo fit?

I do feel sorry for Greg at times, as many of our support don't realise that his responsibilities aren't what they think they should be but are dictated by the club. I didn't realise he had an assistant, but it was telling that Frankfurt have apparently 6 SLOs, compared to our one. The team needs to be far bigger so that all queries from the support are replied to.

Losing the league to Celtc was far worse than getting to and losing a European final.

No idea mate. There are lots of officially sanctioned items you can buy - for example, CostCo do champagne and vodka and kilts you get from elsewhere - but Rangers don't stock these in the shop. In fact it's a complaint of many that you can only buy strips and other associated sundries from the stadium shop and other items that people would be interested in are not available.

Scottish football is a bit rubbish and that's from the governance right down to the product on the (sometimes plastic) pitch. You'd hope some fresh eyes might help improve things but I'm a cynic and seriously doubt it. There's too much cronyism and negativity involved for anything positive to really occur. I know I should want other Scottish clubs to do well but I just can't find it within myself and do have a wee chuckle when the likes of Motherwell and Kilmarnock get knocked out by foreign diddies - probably a residual thing from 2012.

Bit early for the Valium, gisabeer?

I think most of us would prefer to be drawn against the winners of Dynamo Kiev vs Sturm Graz but let's not take anything for granted - we have to overcome the Belgians before any of that.

I really hope that it is Kiev that go out.